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Within the modern world of wine, words in the form of nouns and adjectives
play a major role, for without them, we'd be at a loss to describe and share
our enthusiasm over our favourite wines with others. To the average wine
consumer however, more important than adjectives and nouns are proper nouns in the form of familiar grape variety names. The familiarity factor is all
important to many - after all, most consumers would not hesitate to order a glass of 'Cabernet' or 'Shiraz' - a glass of 'Zweigelt' or 'Aragonez' on the other hand - not likely. Which brings us back to the word 'Cabernet'. A familiar word with two distinct tales to tell.
Both 'Cabernet' varieties hail from France and are now grown successfully in
every major wine region of the world, including Ontario. Both grapes are
capable of producing wines of outstanding character capable of aging. Their
affinity for each other in blends is legendary as both grapes combine to
form a significant share of the make up of just about every famous red Bordeaux wine. Ontario's climate is ideal for the cultivation of 'Cabernet'
grapes of both types as is clear in the classic character exhibited by the
wines produced here. Flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant, chocolate, cedar
and spearmint are most often displayed by Cabernet Sauvignon wines usually
backed up by firm tannins and a taut structure. Full-bodied versions benefit
from decanting. Cabernet Franc wines are known for their upfront raspberry,
red currant, red apple and fresh herb profile and often display softer
tannins on the palate. Both wines are quite often barrel aged with lighter
versions being stainless steel aged instead. Whichever 'Cabernet' you opt
for, these are perfect wines for the finest prime rib, beef tenderloin and
rib-eye steak dishes. Venison and rich tasting game birds are also perfect
culinary matches to these complex tasting red wines. They should always be
served at cellar temperature (12-16°C) for maximum enjoyment.
Magnotta's diverse collection of fine wines is currently home to no fewer
than eighteen different 'Cabernet' reds in a comprehensive range of styles
from casual and easy drinking, to bold, full-bodied versions capable of
rewarding and impressing the most discriminating of red wine drinkers.
Whichever of these two red grapes you choose, you can't lose.
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A TALE OF TWO WINES
Generous blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar and herb notes against a backdrop of sweet oak spice. With its balanced acidity and ruby/garnet hue, this impressive Ontario 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve VQA provides a delightful complement to grilled meats and vegetables, hearty stews in addition to firm, well-aged cheeses. Serve slightly cool.
*In Support of...*
Magnotta Winery is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this wine to the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation, to help eradicate Lyme disease by advancing research, education, screening, diagnosis and treatment. |
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CABERNET --- There are in reality two 'Cabernet' grape varieties; Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, both red. They're closely related and share many similarities, but they're also quite distinct in terms of the wines they each produce. Many red wines are simply labeled as 'Cabernet'. They're often blends of the two varieties. Truth be told, the word 'Cabernet' has to most consumers become synonymous with Cabernet Sauvignon, not with Cabernet Franc. It was the Cabernet Sauvignon grape after all that brought about today's modern wine renaissance back in the mid- seventies. It remains the world's most highly respected red grape for fine wine. Cabernet Franc wines on the other hand, remain somewhat misunderstood.
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